If we focus mostly on the challenges, this topic may raise feelings of hopelessness and frustration, as different approaches seem to come to the same dead-ends. However, some successful experiences all over North and Latin America point out insightful strategies and alternatives that we must look closely at. The most important is to remember that reality is not unchangeable, nor is it natural – it was all defined by political action, human action. Accordingly, political action will also determine what will continue or change.

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In a nutshell: women’s health challenges are intrinsically connected to political and social structures, such as misogyny and racism. What can we learn from that? As they are complex and multifaceted phenomena, one may not believe that solutions or changes will arise from unidimensional perspectives. That is so to say –  multi-dimensional problems demand multi-dimensional solutions involving multiple actors (Cerna, 2013). Structural struggles demand joint action – multidisciplinary, multisectoral, and multistakeholder (Mnandhar et al. 2018). That is the main conclusion we can take from the Brazilian health system’s experience and the Argentinian path towards legalizing abortion.

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Last but not least, we need to grasp that there is no such thing as a social void. Where there is a struggle, even if people may not find the ultimate answer nor fold all the necessary resources, they will manage the available assets to address their needs.

 

People are not only the ones who best know their problems but also have a resourceful perception about finding solutions. And what is the lesson here? Listen to the local (persons, organizations, groups), consider what they have to say, and give some serious thought to how you can work together to assist and boost existing projects, respecting their positionalities and leadership.

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Finally, for those who wish to take action to improve the healthcare reality for women and girls, here are five suggestions: 

(1) rethink and broaden gender perceptions: a lot has changed about traditional gender roles and identities, study and research to work for real people and their existent needs (Scott, 1986).  

 

(2) include minorities in decision-making processes: from public health policy-making to shared decisions about health treatments, involve and consider what people have to say about their lives and necessities (DeMeester et al. 2016).

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(3) value the local: investment in prevention and community-based primary care can enlarge healthcare access and empower people to collaborate with health work teams and improve health initiatives (Scott et al. 2018)

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(4) learn from self-governance initiatives: take advantage of what social media offer and research what people have been doing to improve healthcare access and quality. If possible, get in touch with locals to exchange ideas and experiences, and consider a joint project;

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and (5) invest in broad and representative networking strategies: build bridges, sort out disagreements, and look for a fair common ground. The fight for quality and equity for gender healthcare profits from joint action.